Novak Djokovic's visa has been revoked by Australia, putting his participation in risk

Novak Djokovic's visa has been revoked by Australia's immigration minister, Alex Hawkes, putting his participation in the year's first grand slam, which begins on Monday, in jeopardy (January 17). Hawke said he cancelled the visa because it was in the public interest, citing "health and good order" as a reason.

The legal team for the World No. 1 tennis player has stated that they intend to file an injunction against the minister's decision in order to allow him to remain in Australia and compete in the Australian Open.

"Today I exercised my power... to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so," the minister said in a statement.

Djokovic is also expected to face a three-year restriction on acquiring a new Australian visa as a result of the government's decision. Djokovic's visa was revoked for the first time on January 6, shortly after he arrived in Melbourne, after Australian border Force officers said he had 'failed to present acceptable proof' to secure a vaccine exemption.

The Australian population, who endured some of the world's longest and most stringent lockdowns throughout the outbreak, was likewise outraged. He was held, then spent hours at an airport immigration checkpoint and days at an immigration hotel. His visa was reinstated by a judge a few days later, and he was released after a judge ruled that border authorities had broken protocol when he arrived.

Hawke, though, rejected Djokovic's visa on Friday (January 14) evening in Melbourne, citing unique authorities in Australia's Migration Act.